<p>At my school, a significant fraction of the students in each of my classes recieves extra time on test/sats/aps for “learning disabilities”. I really dont know enough about these disabilities to pass fair judgement, but I hear that the test for extra time is thousands of dollars and that if you can afford to take the test, you usually end up getting extra time. I just find it ironic that so many kids receive this accommodation at my very affluent private school, wheras hardly anyone gets it at my sister’s public school. Also, its interesting that hoards of kids suddenly get “diagnosed” right before all the standardized testing in junior year. Is there a prevalence of this at any other schools? What to you guys think about it? And is it it true that colleges must honor the “need” for extra time? Sorry if I sound bitter, but ive just struggled to finish too many ap physics tests only to see my peers sit back with another hour…I understand that some kids are genuinely disabled, but I also think the system is abused.</p>
<p>I don't think anyone should get extra time.</p>
<p>yes, i dont know if youre being facetious, but I generally agree with you. Other than some extreme cases of physical (seeing, hearing) disability, i agree its totally unfair. Yes, if you can think quicker, you will get a better SAT score. I never finish SATs all the way in the alloted time, and i think this just indicates that my mind is not as facile as someone who can.....</p>
<p>I think people with legitimate disabilities like dyslexia should be given extra time, although I don't think it should cost extra. My friend who is dyslexic knows the AP US History curriculum backwards and forwards, and if she needs an extra hour (or however long it is) to read what the questions are, I think she should have it. </p>
<p>However, the practice of paying for extra time is just corruption, pure and simple. The administrators allowing this are just terrible.</p>
<p>I think it should exist, but that the vast majority of people are faking/exagerating their need for it. But it should still be around for the people who do need it.</p>
<p>Hehe, if you look at the title of this thread, the debate for the bored is also a debate for the board! PUN!! Mwahaha.</p>
<p>If the get the testing they need to take their time and a half or however much extra in school all at once... My school allows kids to take the one period of the test, hand it in to the teacher and when they have a free period or some time, take the rest of their test. Now I am not calling anyone a liar here or a cheat but doesn't that leave room for foul play, anyone could look up any sort of answer they wanted to! Oh and they must report on the transcript or report card that they get untimed testing otherwise its not fair to the people who do it in regular amounts of time.</p>
<p>actually, the current standard policy is that it cannot be marked on the transcript because that would be "discrimination against people with disabilities"...all colleges must honor these priveleges for the same reason...</p>
<p>I'm sorry, but this just detracts from the credibiltyof those who are truly disabled.</p>
<p>^^^I agree. I suppose the administrators at your school let this go on because if kids score higher on tests, the school looks better?</p>
<p>I think its a bigger problem than the administrators at my school...i mean there's not anything they can do, its federal law that people with disabilities must be accomodated...its just especially prevalent at my school i think bc of the concentration of wealth+the trend has just caught on</p>
<p>Well sure, it's federal law, but is some kid tried to pull that at my school without legit documentation (and probably being stuck in the resource room for all of high school) the admin would just laugh in his face.</p>
<p>no, all these kids have documentation as long as their parents paid the money to get tested</p>
<p>oooh, that's sketchy. Who are these doctors then?</p>
<p>Wait, no, who are these parents?</p>
<p>OK, I understand where you all are coming from, but let me just provide the currently absent voice of those who do get extra time. So, I get time and half due to my very slow reading/processing. Freshman year I was getting really bad grades because I would take a test, and only finish about 70% of it. In that 70% of the test I did, I would get like 95% right, showing tha I really did understand the material, but I just didn't have enough time. So I got tested, and they found the problem. People always say "you're so lucky that you get the extra time!" No, it's not lucky. I mean, I'm lucky that the problem got recognized, but its not like I spend the extra time twiddling my thumbs. I'm still rushing to finish in the time and half that anyone else would with the normal amount of time. I really DO understand where you are coming from though, I bet its frustrating as hell, and some poeple defintely do abuse the privilege, but that happens with everything. It's unfortunate that it is so easy to get the extra time for peopel who don't really need it, but I think collegeboard is cracking down on that because SO many people are asking for it now. All I can say is that you should realize that some poeple really do oneed the extra time, and while it seems like an unfair advantage, I'd definitely rather not need it. It takes me like 2 hours to read what other poeople read in 45 minutes, its no fun. I hope this doesn't sound angry, beacuse it really isn't, I'd feel the same way if I were you. I just thought it would be good for you all to hear from someone who HAS the extra time. If you have any questions please feel free to ask!</p>
<p>i mean, im not saying its some depraved, malicious plot. its just i think a combination of people seeing a loophole in the system and some not even realizing the injustice, which of course is not even proven.</p>
<p>these people are all idiots. untimed testing is not only for physical disabilities, but also for learning ones. why do the untimed tests cost more? perhaps to pay a teacher? but then it shouldnt be thousands more. and they are all graded the same way. honestly, i dont care if they have more time or not. i dont base anyone's knowledge on one test, and if they dont know, then they dont know right? if the parents allow this, then they are setting their children up for success now, and absolute failure later. but then agian... i hate standardized tests...</p>
<p>Testing for a learning disability costs around 400. If you can't afford the cost, the place where I was tested offered scholarships. Also, affording the testing is not a guarantee of being diagnosed as having a learning disability. I know many people who tested but did not quaify for extended time. Don't be bitter becasue LD kids get extra time, they deserve it.</p>
<p>I'm not bitter LD kids get extra time. I'd be bitter if I knew a non-LD kid who could pay for extra time though.</p>
<p>what is the test like? Like would it be easy to make it seem like you needed extra time?</p>